Side frame



C. HANKINS Feb. 4, 193G.

SIDE FRAIE 'Filed D90. 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 4, 1930.

C. HANKlNS 51m: FRAME Filed Dec. 22.- 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Feb, 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CYRUS ms, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE SYMINGTON COM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF MARYLAND SIDE FRAME Application filed December 22, 1924. Serial No. 757,411.

The invention relates to side frames for railway car trucks and more particularly to a cast frame having integrally connected thereto journal boxes for the reception of the journal ends of the car axle.

The principal object of the invention, generally considered, is to provide a side frame in which the metal is so distributed as to give maximum strength without excessive weight and to so arrange and proportion the various members of the side frame as to avoid-abrupt changes in the cross-sectional-area at-or adjacent the intersection of said members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a east side frame in which the outer wall of the frame is thicker in section than the inner wall so as to compensate for the difference in quality of the metal of the said front and rear walls. I

There are other objects of the invention relating to structural features ofthe side frame as will hereinafter be pointed out more in detail.

To these and other ends, the invention comprises the various elements and combinations of elements hereinafter set forth.

In the drawingswhich I have chosen to illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 is a viewpartially in side elevation and partially in longitudinal vertical section of a truck side frame constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view partially in section and partially in top plan, the section being'taken on the line2-2 of Figure 1 of the side frame. c

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the side frame.

5 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken on'line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 1, the direction of view being indicated by the'arrows adjacent the ends of the section line.

Figure 7 isa transverse vertical sectional view on line 77 of Figure 5.'

Throughout the specification and drawings .ble walls of the like parts are designated by like reference characters.

The truck side frame shown hereon and hereinafter described is an improvement of the co-pending application of T. H. Syming- Serial No 747,638, filed November 3rd,

Referring now to the drawings specifically,

the numeral 1 designates, broadly, the truck side frame having a compression member or upper arch bar 2, a tension member or lower bars or Webs thereof are connected by side walls 5 and 6, the said side walls forming the flanges of the compression member and the lnclmed end portlons of the tension member,

and being also connected to the side edges of the bolster guides 4-4 or the webs thereof. The walls 5 and 6 are provided with alined openings 7 and 8, said-openings being interposed between the end of the frame and ad jacent bolster guide, as is customalgcin side frames of this general class. The marginal edge 9 of the walls or flanges at the openings 7 and the marginal edge 10 of the walls or flanges at the openings 8 are respectively reinforced by ribs 11 and 12, the ribs 12 being both thicker and Wider than the ribs 11. It might be here pointed out that the wall 5 which forms the rear face of the truck frame is'thinner in'section than the wall 6 which forms the outer-face of the truck side frame.

to cast the same with the outer or front face in the cope side of the mold. This results in forming the rear or inner face ofthe casting of a much better quality of metal than the front face and I therefore intentionally thicken the front face of the casting so as to compensate for the difference in the quality of the metal. In addition, in truck side frames having integral journal boxes, the rear or inner face of'the side frame is reinforced by the thickened portions of the journal box, that is the inwardly projecting doupockets formed by the rear end and thewall of the dust guard well. The

tween the front and rear of the journal boxes -by thickening the outer wall 6 of the side frame. The openings 7-7 and 8-8 in the rear and'front walls of the side frame are so shapedthat the webs of the tension and compression members, as well as thebolster guide members are, in fact, provided with inner flanges 13 and outer flanges 14, and these flanges are, by the shape of the openings 7 and 8, varied in width so that the greatest.

width of flange is arranged at points of maximum stress and the minimum width of flange is provided at the points-of contraflexure or points of minimum stress.

Although the making of the outer walls 6, and the corresponding ribs 12, thicker than the inner walls 5 and their ribs 11, is primarily because of the difference in quality be-v tween the metal in the outer and inner sides of the frame, yet an additional result ensues in that the neutral axis or center line of mass of the frame is offset slightly outwardly of the normal longitudinal center line of the frame, or line drawn longitudinally of the frame between the centers of the associated journals. It will also be noted that the center lines of the main members, that is the compression and tension members, are straight in plan and the center lines of mass of both are otlset'outwardly with respect to the center lines of associated journals.

At the opposite ends of the side frame there are provided integral journal boxes 15 and since the structure of both is identical a description of but one and its relationship to the tension and compression members will suffice for both. As has been pointed out, by reason of the flanges 13 and 14 the compression and tension members are for the major portion of their length channel-shaped in cross-section. The web of the channel tension member is adapted to intersect the journal box 15 substantially in line with the inner face of the journal brass lug 16 on the adjacent side of the box. This construction is made possibleby sloping the upper end of the inner wall 17 of the box, as

shown at 18 in Figure 3, the slope of the wall being so positioned as to extend from a point coincident with the upper face of the normal position of the brass lug and'so as not to interfere with the use of a standard brass and wedge. Since the width of the web of the tension member is of course greater than the width of the brass lug, it is obvious that the inclination at the upper extremity of the wall 17 will extend on opposite sides of the brass lug 16, as clearly shown at 19 in Figure 5. By so shaping the journal box it is possible to lower the neutral axis of the tension member and consequently the neutral axis of the of. By this means I have shortened the leve 7o arm by which the forces transmitted to {he journal box are imparted to the side fr me and hence have materially reduced stresses in the tension and compression mem-.

bers.

The Web of the compression member is extended over the face 20 of the journal box and in order to adequately strengthen and reinforce the connection between the journal box and the compression member I provide a longitudinally extending web 21 which preferably extends the full width of the journal box top and then upwardly converges as at 22, and then diverges so as to form a long joint with the web of the compression member 2. Intersecting the web 21 and connecting the side walls 5 and 6 of the side frame and integrally connected tothe roof 20 of the journal box, is a web 23. The web'23, as will be observed from Figures 3, 4 and 5, does not eXtend the full distance between the roof of the journal box and the web of the compression member 2 and the purpose and object of limiting the extent of the web 23 is to provide for the placement and removal of cores after the casting operation is completed and to prevent the massing of metal at this point with the consequent occurrence of shrinkage cracks and the like.

The inner side wall 17 of the journal box is connected to the web of the tension member 3 by a strut 24, which forms, in effect, an extension of the tension member, the said strut preferably comprising a pair of spaced arms 25 each of which is provided with a web 26 and a pair of flanges 27 and 28, the

flanges 28, the outer face of the webof the tension member 3 and the outer face of the wall 17 defining openings 29. This construction permits the pocket formed between the arms 25 to be cored from the sides and elimi- Hates the necessity for providing a core opening. through the web of the tension member which, of course, would weaken the structure at a vital point. The lower ribs 27 of the arms 25 smoothly curve into and are of course integrally connected to the web of the tension the walls 5 and 6 and arranged parallel to the upper faces of the bolster guides but spaced of the web of'the tension member 3.

outwardly therefrom, are flanges 31, which flanges are integrally connected to the spring seat portion 32 of the side frame, 'the said spring seat being preferably a continuation To reinforce and strengthen the spring seat 32, I provide the side frame with a downwardly projecting portion 33, the lower wall of which extends substantially parallel with the spring seat portion to points in alinement with the ribs 31 and is then deflected upwardly, as at 34, and merges into the web of the tension member substantially at the points-of contraflexure of said member or substantially mid way of the inclined portions thereof. The

portion 33, as shown on the drawings, is desirably only box-shaped at the center, with the lower web bifurcated toward the ends, in which case the side walls or flanges of the depending portion 33 will be provided at their lower edges with rcentrant flanges 35, the said flanges tapering gradually from a point adjacent the center to the extremity or the point where the side walls merge into the web of the tension member. On account of the aforedescribed construction, it will be seen that while the compression member is inverted U-shape for its entire length, the tension member changes from U-shape at its end or inclined portions to inverted U-shape at its central portion beneath the bolster opening, the web shifting from a' lower. to an upper position. Similarly, the upper portion of the truck frame, intermediate the bolster guides 4.4, is provided with easements 36 to prevent abrupt change in direction and the portion of the compression member intermediate the bolster guides 4 is preferably provided with tapering reentrant'flanges 37, as clearly shown in Figure 2. It will also be observed that the upper portion of the compres sion member is provided at points above the bolster opening with outwardly extending ribs or flanges 38 and said flanges, at their extremities, merge respectively into the ribs 11 and 12 surrounding theopenings 7 and 8.

In line with the web of the tension member at its point of juncture with the slde walls 17 of the journal boxes, I provide the same with outwardly directed flanges 39 and 40, the said flanges being integrally connected to the tension member and to the adjacent portions of the side walls -17 of the boxes, the purpose and object of the said flanges being to strengthen the boxesagainst rocking movement ofthe car axle.

Having now described my invention in detail, although it is to bev understood that the words'used are to be taken in their. descriptive and not in their limiting sense,'what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a truck side frame, the combination with integral tension and compression members. and an interposed strut, of webs connect-' ing the side edges of said members, one of said webs being thicker in cross-section than the other.

3. In a truck side frame, the combination with integral tension and compression members, and an interposed strut, of journal boxes integrally connected to said members, and webs connected to the side edges of said members, said webs being of unequal thickness.

.4. In a truck side frame, the combination with integral tension and compression members, of journalboxes connected to said members adjacent the ends thereof, and reinforcing means for said tension member, said means comprising a plurality of flanges depending therefrom, said flan'ges terminating substantially midway of the inclined portions of said tension member, the'outer ends of said tension member being extended with a smoothly curved lower outline to unite with the journal boxes a substantial distance below the tops thereof.

5. In a truck side frame, the combination with tension and compression members, of journal boxes integrally connected thereto, side walls integral with said tension and compression members, said side walls having openings therein, and means for reinforcing the marginal edges of said openings, said reinforcing means on the outer face of one side wall being thicker than the corresponding means on theopposite side wall.

6. A truck side frame comprising tension and compression members, journal boxes connected to said members and a pair of connecting means between each journal box and the adjacent member, each connecting means being formed with a web portion having a plurality of flanged edges.

7. A truck side frame comprising tension and compression members, journal boxes connected to said members and a pair of connecting members between each journal box and the adjacent member, said connecting members being formed with a web portion,

the edges of which are reinforced by out-- bottoyrf shaped cross-section with webs and inner and outer flanges on opposite sides of said Webs, said flanges being formed of different thicknesses for equalizing the strength of the frame. a 9. A truck side frame comprising tension and compression members, journal .boxes connected to said members adjacent the ends thereof, and reinforcing means disposed along said tension member and formed as depending flanges, said flanges extending outwardly from intermediate portions thereof and terminating at points corresponding to the points of contra-flexure of the inclined portions of said tension member, the lower outline of the outer ends of said inclined portions curving downwardly to provide for connection with the adjacent side walls of pression member formed with an upper web and depending flanges at opposite edges thereof, a tension member formed with a lower web and upstanding flanges at opposite edges thereof, said members being integrally connected to each other and to journal boxes adjacent the ends of the frame, the flanges of said members merging to form a box sec:- tion adjacent said journal boxes, the connection with said journal boxes being additionally reinforced by a Web extending from the web of the compression member to the top of the journal box intermediate the depending flanges thereof.

12. A truck side frame comprising a com-j pression member generally channel shape in cross section, a tension member generally channel shape in cross section throughout the major portion of its length and formed with an intermediate. -"substantially horizontal portion and inclined end portions, bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of saidmembers leaving a window opening therebetween, the ends of said members being integrally united to each other and to journal boxes adjacent the ends of the frame, the lower outline of said tension'member adjac 'ent the lower corners of said window opening being curved outwardly and upwardly followed by a' reverse curvature whereby said curved outline smoothly merges into the inclined end portions of said tension member, the lower ortion of the tension member at the ends thereof uniting with the adjacent side walls of the journal boxes below the roofs thereof.

13. A truck side frame comprising a com- I pression member generally channel shape in cross section, a tension member generally channel shape in cross section throughout the major portion of its length and formed with at intermediate substantially horizontal portion and inclined end portions, bolster guide columns spacing intermediate portions of said members leaving a Window opening therebetween, the ends of said members be ing integrally united to each other and to journal boxes adjacent the ends of the frame, the lower outline of said tension member befng curved around the lower corners of said window opening and then curved outwardly and downwardly forming a smooth reverse curve merging with straight lower edges of the inclined end portions of said tension member, said tension member intersecting the. adjacent side walls of the journal boxes below the roof level.

14. A car truckside frame provided with journal boxes and a top member with a web and side flanges and whose center line of mass is straight and offset outwardly with relation to the center lines of the journals of the truck axles.-

15. A car truck side frame provided with a straight top member formed as a transverse web connecting side'portions and whose end portions and intermediate portion lie in the same vertical plane, and journal boxes formed integral with the end portions of said side frame and disposed so that the center line of mass of said top member is oflset outwardly with relation to thecenter lines of the axle journals.

16. A truck side frame having journal boxes and formed with a generallybliannel shaped compression member having a neutral' axis straight in plan, the vertical plane of said axis being offset outwardly with respect to the center lines of associated journals. 17. A truck side frame formed with integral journal boxes and comprising a compression member substantially U-sh'aped in cross-section, the neutral axis of said U-section being offset outwardly with respect to the normal center line of said frame.

18. In a cast metal side frame, in combi-- I nation, a tension member, a compression member, which members are connected together at an extremity of said side frame, a journal box integrally connected to said members at said extremity, the upper side edges of said journal box being beveled, said tension member having a continuous Web portion in substantial alinement with the beveled portion of said box.

19. In a cast metal side frame, in combine.- tion, a tension member, a compn :ion member, which members are connected together at an extremity of said side frame, a journal box integrally connected to said members at said extremit the upper side edges of said journal box eing beveled in planes transverse to the plane of said side frame, said tension member comprising a channel having the web thereof lowermost.

' 20. In a cast-metal side frame, in combi nation, a tensionmember, a compression member, which members are connected together at an extremity of said side frame, a

journal box integrally connected to said members at said extremity, the upper side edges of said journal box being beveled, said-tension member comprising a section'having a continuous web portion substantially in alinement with one of said beveled edges.

21. In a cast metal side frame, in combination, a tension member, a compression member, which members are connected together at an extremity of said side frame, a journal box integrally connected to said members at said extremity, the upper edges of said journal box being beveled throughout substantially the length of said box.

22. A railway truck side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns interposed be-. tween intermediate portions of said members, said compression and tension members being generally U-shape in cross section, formed with webs and flanges on the edges of said webs, and joining at the ends of the frame, journal boxes formed with roofs with which said flanges connect, the web of the tension member extending to unite with the roofs of said journal boxes, and reinforcing means between the web of the tension member and the journal boxes comprising flanged portions' spaced from the connection between the web of the tension member and the journal boxes and curving downwardly along their lower edges and joining with the side walls of said journal boxes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' CYRUS HANKINS. 

